Man pleads guilty to killing Kimberly police officer, sentenced to 25 years in prison

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The man who was charged with killing Kimberly police officer Nick O'Rear during a high speed chase along Interstate 65 in 2020 pled guilty to a reduced charge Monday, avoiding a possible death-penalty trial.

Preston Johnson pleaded guilty to intentional murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Johnson's sentence will run consecutively to his more than 16-year federal sentence for pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The 39-year-old will receive credit for the more than 28 months he spent in jail since his arrest.

Agent Pete Acosta, a member of Alabama Law Enforcement's Special Bureau of Investigations testified in a March 2020 hearing that O'Rear was killed after he was shot in the head while driving in front of a car along Interstate 65 as the driver, Johnson, tried to flee from police. O'Rear responded to the call after hearing the chase on his police radio. Acosta said the officer appeared to be attempting to slow the car down.

READ: New details of interstate pursuit which killed Kimberly police officer revealed in court

Acosta said the chase began after Warrior Police Officer Lee Glenn saw a black BMW driving erratically after seeing his police vehicle. Glenn, who Acosta revealed had a civilian ride-along passenger in his vehicle, began pursuing the car. Testimony showed how the chase could have been deadlier. Acosta testified Glenn's cruiser was also pierced by bullets during the chase as Johnson shot through his windshields at Glenn and O'Rear.

Acosta said Glenn stopped his pursuit of the black BMW to check on O'Rear after he was struck in the head and wrecked his cruiser. Investigators said this allowed Johnson time to leave the car behind a church along Warrior Jasper Road. Johnson and three others would eventually be detained after they were discovered in a white GMC SUV by Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies.

Acosta said one women who was detained also told investigators she had been in the black BMW with Johnson during the chase and led police to where he had abandoned the car. In the woods nearby, Acosta testified they found a semi-automatic rifle, Glock 9mm handgun, military jacket and keys. Court records show the rifle was a Norinco Mak90 AK-47. A ballistics test on the weapons had not yet been completed.

The woman in the black BMW with Johnson, whose full name was not used in testimony, was considered a witness.

READ:Thousands gather to attend funeral of slain Kimberly police officer

O'Rear left behind a pregnant girlfriend and two other children.

The 33-year-old, who was buried following a public service, graduated from Saint Clair County High School in 2006. He was also a Graduate of the Alabama Fire College – Tuscaloosa and a graduate of the UAB EMT School. He worked as a firefighter for the cities of Margaret and Branchville before beginning his career in law enforcement according to his obituary. He served as a Police Officer for Ashville, Alabama, Trafford, Alabama before he arrived at the Kimberly Police Department.